Shankerinh Vaghela's fast draws more crowd in Ahmedabad

Not the one to let its three-day fast programme pass off as a cheap imitation of chief minister Narendra Modi's Sadbhavna Mission, the state Congress on Sunday stepped up efforts. Large number of supporters, including women from different parts of Gujarat, thronged the venue opposite Sabarmati Ashram to greet the fasting Congressmen.

While senior leaders have paid regular visits to Modi's fast, the austere Congress fast has lacked high profile leaders. However, on Sunday, Union minister of state for mines, Dinsha Patel stepped in to fill the void.

Soon after arriving on the dais, Patel wore a Gandhi topi. Interestingly, as soon as Patel arrived, fasting senior Congress leader Shankerinh Vaghela moved away.

Patel, like his party leaders, tried to pep up the mood by taking swipes at chief minister Narendra Modi.  Vaghela said that Modi alone cannot take the credit for Gujarat's development.

"Gujarat has always been a progressing state and it is not due to the efforts of one man," he said. The numbers of visitors did not dip in the evening too as members of Valmiki community, supporters from Kheda and Surendranagar arrived with flags showing their solidarity.